Shortness of breath

Any person, 16 years and over, presenting with shortness of breath.

History prompts, signs and symptoms

These are not exhaustive lists. Maintain an open mind and be aware of cognitive bias.

Red flags

Recognise: identify indicators of actual or potential clinical severity and risk of deterioration.

Respond: carefully consider alternative ECAT protocol. Escalate as per clinical reasoning and local CERS protocol, and continue treatment.

Clinical assessment and specified intervention (A to G)

If the patient has any Yellow or Red Zone observations or additional criteria (as per the relevant NSW Standard Emergency Observation Chart), refer and escalate as per local CERS protocol and continue treatment.

Position

Assessment	Intervention
General appearance/first impressions	Position of comfort Preferably semi-reclined or upright

Airway

Assessment	Intervention
Patency of airway	Maintain airway patency Consider airway opening manoeuvres and positioning

Breathing

Assessment	Intervention
Respiratory rate and effort Auscultate chest (breath sounds) Oxygen saturation (SpO2)	Assist ventilation, as clinically indicated Consider oxygen if dyspnoeic, titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 over 93%

Circulation

Assessment	Intervention
Perfusion (capillary refill, skin warmth and colour) Pulse Blood pressure Cardiac rhythm	Assess circulation Attach cardiac monitor and complete 12 lead ECG if BP/HR are within the Yellow or Red Zones, or where clinically relevant, e.g. irregular pulse, palpitations, syncope, shock, respiratory compromise, cardiac history or clinical concern If audible respiratory crepitation and raised JVP and/or peripheral oedema switch to shortness of breath with a history of cardiac disease protocol
IVC and/or pathology	Insert IV cannula, if trained If unable to obtain IV access, consider intraosseous, if trained See pathology section
Signs of shock: tachycardia and CRT 3 seconds and over and/or abnormal skin perfusion and/or hypotension	If signs of shock present and/or SBP less than 90 mmHg, give 250 mL of sodium chloride 0.9% IV/intraosseous bolus Repeat every 10 minutes (up to 1000 mL) until SBP over 90 mmHg or signs of shock have resolved

Disability

Assessment	Intervention
ACVPU	If ACVPU shows reduced level of consciousness, continue to GCS, pupillary response and limb strength
GCS, pupillary response and limb strength	Obtain baseline and repeat assessment, as clinically indicated
Pain	Assess pain. If indicated, give early analgesia as per analgesia section then resume A to G assessment

Exposure

Assessment	Intervention
Temperature	Measure temperature
Skin inspection, including posterior surfaces	Check and document any abnormalities

Fluids

Assessment	Intervention
Hydration status: last ate, drank, bowels opened, passed urine or vomited	Commence fluid balance chart, as required
Nausea and/or vomiting	If present, see nausea and/or vomiting section
NBM	Consider clear fluids or NBM based on red flags and clinical severity

Glucose

Assessment	Intervention
BGL	Measure BGL, if clinically indicated If less than 4 mmol/L, consider hypoglycaemia protocol

Focused assessment

Complete cardiovascular focused assessment.

Complete respiratory focused assessment.

Precautions and notes

• Common life-threatening causes of SOB that should be considered include, but are not limited to:
• ACS
• pulmonary oedema
• arrhythmia
• pulmonary embolism
• anaphylaxis
• pneumonia
• COPD
• sepsis
• angioedema
• pneumothorax
• haemothorax
• acute renal failure
• anaemia
• epiglottitis
• Consider using alternate protocol once further history and assessment are obtained.
• Isolate patients and use appropriate PPE when attending potentially infective patients.

Interventions and diagnostics

Specific treatment

If wheeze is present or quiet breath sounds, consider shortness of breath with a history of asthma protocol.

If ineffective respiratory effort, consider non-invasive ventilation where available and escalate as per local CERS protocol if required.

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Analgesia

Select pain score:

• 1–3 (mild)
• 4–6 (moderate)
• 7–10 (severe)

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Nausea and/or vomiting

If nausea and/or vomiting is present, give:

• metoclopramide 10 mg orally or IV/IM once only (over 20 years only)
• or ondansetron 4 mg orally or IV/IM. If symptoms persist after 60 minutes, repeat once, maximum dose 8 mg
• or prochlorperazine 5 mg orally once only or 12.5 mg IV/IM once only

Choice of antiemetic should be determined by cause of symptoms.

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Radiology

• If life-threatening or concern for pneumothorax or infective cause: CXR

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Pathology

• FBC, UEC
• Moderate to severe respiratory distress: ABG (if trained) or VBG
• Suspected cardiac cause: troponin
• Warfarinised: INR
• Temp less than 35°C, or 38.5°C and above: take two sets of blood cultures from two separate sites
• If clinically indicated: respiratory viral PCR screen, sputum culture, urinary antigens for pneumococcus and legionella

Medications

The shaded sections in this protocol are only to be used by registered nurses who have completed the required education.

Medications with contraindications or requiring dose adjustment are marked:

• ^H for patients with known hepatic impairment
• ^R for patients with known renal impairment.

Escalate to medical or nurse practitioner.

Evidence informed	Information was drawn from evidence-based guidelines and a review of latest available research. For more information, see the development process.
Collaboration	This protocol was developed by the ECAT Working Group, led by the Agency for Clinical Innovation. The group involved expert medical, nursing and allied health representatives from local health districts across NSW. Consensus was reached on all recommendations included within this protocol.
Currency	Due for review: Jan 2026. Based on a regular review cycle.
Feedback	Email ACI-ECIs@health.nsw.gov.au